The majority of manufacturing jobs at Russian-owned sports car-maker TVR appear to have been saved, it was claimed last night.

Local union leaders were told at a crisis meeting at the Blackpool factory that production of car would remain in the town, but at a different site, the Transport and General Workers Union said. Comprehensive details of the negotiations were not available last night, but the T&GWU said the decision could save the jobs of about 300 workers.

It could also offer reemployment to some of the 70-plus workers laid off during the crisis that has engulfed TVR.

The company, owned by Russian multi-millionaire Nikolai Smolensky, was thought to be looking to transfer car production away from Blackpool, and possibly abroad.

It has held talks with Nanjing Automobile, the Chinese company that is planning to resume limited car production at Long-bridge after buying the assets of MG Rover last year.